Method for testing the quality of mobile radio networks

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method of testing the quality of mobile wireless networks which rules out subjective influences as much as possible in the evaluation of quality.  
     According to this invention, a number of test subscribers are equipped with mobile wireless terminals, each being assigned a special telephone number, whereby each test subscriber can communicate over a mobile wireless network selected individually from a quantity of several mobile wireless networks. The selected mobile wireless network is kept anonymous with respect to the test subscriber and is changed at certain intervals. Acquisition of the network quality perceived by the subscribers is performed promptly.

[0001] This invention relates to a method of testing the network qualityin mobile wireless networks according to the preamble of Patent claim 1.

[0002] According to the state of the art, essentially two types ofnetwork quality tests are performed by each operator of a mobilewireless network:

[0003] First, purely technical measurements with automatic, stationaryor mobile systems or test mobile stations, e.g., QVoice from Ascom, andsecondly, subscriber tracking/inquiries by the network operator atperiodic intervals regarding the network quality as perceived by thesubscriber.

[0004] In subscriber inquiries regarding the network quality, however,there is the problem that the perception of the customer or subscriberis usually influenced by subjective factors such as the image of thenetwork operator, advertising, peer pressure, etc., and thus the networkoperator does not receive an objective evaluation of the actual networkquality, but instead receives a more or less false evaluation.

[0005] The object of this invention is to provide a method of testingthe quality of mobile wireless networks which rules out subjectiveinfluences as much as possible in the evaluation of quality.

[0006] This object is achieved by the features of Patent claim 1.

[0007] This invention is characterized in that a number of testsubscribers are equipped with mobile wireless terminals, each of whichis assigned a special telephone number, and each test subscriber cancommunicate over a mobile wireless network selected individually from aquantity of multiple mobile wireless networks. The selected mobilewireless network is kept anonymous with respect to the test subscriberand is changed at certain intervals, and a prompt determination of thenetwork quality perceived by the subscribers is implemented.

[0008] The advantage of this invention is that due to the anonymizationof the mobile wireless networks, it is possible to capture the directcustomer perception of the network quality, excluding subjectiveinfluences, such as image, advertising, peer pressure, etc. In addition,the method according to this invention combines the advantages of thetraditional methods of quality testing, i.e., objective measured dataacquisition and feedback from the subscriber's standpoint, and at thesame time it eliminates most of their disadvantages, such as thefeedback of a conversation quality evaluated “by machine” and the effecton the customer feedback by the image of the network operator andadvertising.

[0009] The method according to this invention for testing mobilewireless networks is characterized by:

[0010] anonymized networks,

[0011] regular changing of networks,

[0012] prompt acquisition of impressions as to network quality throughregular interviews.

[0013] Anonymization of the mobile wireless networks can be accomplishedaccording to this invention by:

[0014] blocking certain telephone number ranges to suppressoperator-specific announcements (conversely: allowing only preselectionranges 02xx through 09xx),

[0015] blocking operator-specific quick-dial numbers,

[0016] suppressing terminal-specific technical features which cancel theblocking,

[0017] blocking display with the automated information from the networkoperator and service providers,

[0018] suppressing the automatic/manual network dialing (conversely:preset network selection),

[0019] blocking features such as SMS (MO, MT, CB) with which one's owntelephone number can be read out or displayed,

[0020] changing the calling card profiles with the following services:only domestic telephony, no international roaming coming or going, nomailbox, no fax/data service, no SMS, permanent identificationsuppression CLIR (calling line identification restriction), no callforwarding, blocking 1-800/1-900 numbers.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the reachability ofthe respective test subscriber via a virtual telephone number assignedto him personally is ensured during the entire testing period. There iscall forwarding of these virtual telephone numbers to operator-specificcalling card/telephone numbers (SIM card numbers), i.e., to a certainmobile wireless network. When changing the mobile wireless network,there is a cyclic exchange of operator-specific calling cards/telephonenumbers with appropriate adaptation of the call forwarding. Anotherpossibility is to perform the exchange of the identical and possiblysealed mobile wireless terminals including the respective calling cards,e.g., during regular equipment maintenance and thus in a manner that isnot trackable for the test subscriber.

[0022] A central neutral interview office (agency) is preferablyestablished so that a daily, weekly or monthly polling and hotlineconsultation of test subscribers can be performed. The acquisition,processing and analysis of the results likewise take place through thisagency or another one.

[0023] In the tracking of the test subscribers, supplementaryquestionnaires are used, such as a daily, weekly and monthlyquestionnaire (after changing networks) and a concluding questionnaireat the end of the test.

[0024] One exemplary embodiment of this invention is explained ingreater detail below on the basis of the drawings in the figures.

[0025] The drawings and the description of the drawings yield additionalfeatures, advantages and possible applications of this invention. Theyshow:

[0026]FIG. 1: activation of the test subscribers in the variousnetworks;

[0027]FIG. 2: overview of the linkage of the instances participating inthe test and their interaction.

[0028] According to FIG. 1, the network operator provides a certainnumber (198 here) of virtual mobile wireless telephone numbers 1, eachof which is assigned to a corresponding number of test subscribers. Thetest subscribers can be reached at their particular virtual telephonenumbers during the test subscriber relationship; these telephone numbersare selected so that no information is provided regarding the mobilewireless network used—e.g., D1, D2 and Eplus in Germany. Telephonenumbers 1 of the test subscribers are assigned in equal numbers to oneof the mobile wireless networks D1, D2 and Eplus, i.e., the respectivetest subscriber communicates exclusively over the mobile wirelessnetwork assigned to him at that moment. For this purpose, it isnecessary to set up call forwarding 2, which images the virtualtelephone number assigned to the subscriber on a telephone number whichactually exists in the respective mobile wireless network (3). Bychanging the call forwarding 2, the mobile wireless network assigned toa subscriber is changed at certain intervals. For example, if a testperiod of three months is provided, a one-month period of using one ofthe mobile wireless networks D1, D2 and Eplus, respectively, is enabledfor the test subscriber.

[0029] Thus, 66 subscribers are always enabled in one of the mobilewireless networks at a time, so the networks are exchanged cyclically(see no. 4).

[0030] The subscribers can of course be reached at their virtualtelephone numbers not only in the mobile wireless networks but also fromfixed networks 5.

[0031] The assignment of the virtual telephone numbers and the callforwarding are managed internally by the network operator and/or anauthorized agent performing the test.

[0032] Use of the mobile wireless networks and fixed networks providedfor the test takes place externally from the network operator.

[0033] In order for the mobile wireless network currently being used bythe subscribers to remain anonymous, all functions and services whichcould provide the subscriber with an indication of the mobile wirelessnetwork being used by the subscriber are blocked and/or turned off forthe duration of the test. This is an important aspect of the invention,because the subscribers should be prevented from allowing theirsubjective perceptions to influence the test appraisal.

[0034] To rule out any other subjective influences, the manufacturer ofthe mobile wireless terminals used in the test could also be madeunidentifiable. Of course, all the test subscribers are equipped withthe same mobile wireless terminal.

[0035]FIG. 2 shows a survey of the linkage of the instances involved inthe test and their interaction.

[0036] Mobile wireless network operator 6 makes available to the agency7 performing the test a number of mobile wireless terminals (10). Theagency 7 manages these terminals and makes them available to testsubscribers 8. After the end of the test, the terminals are returned tothe network operator and are available for subsequent tests (11).

[0037] The test subscribers 8 conclude a test customer contract (14)with the network operator 6, in doing so they receive a calling card foroperation of the terminal; this calling card contains their personalvirtual telephone number at which they can be reached during the test.

[0038] The monthly accounting (15) is handled as usual through thenetwork operator 6.

[0039] The acquisition of test subscribers and consulting with them arethe responsibility of the commissioned agency (12). Customer inquiriesare also managed by the agency over a special hotline (13).

[0040] Furthermore, the agency 7 performs regular inquiries of the testsubscribers regarding the network quality. This is done in writing ororally and is preferably done daily and at the conclusion of the testseries (12). The agency 7 also performs and controls the changes in themobile wireless network used by the subscribers 8 during the test.

[0041] The agency 7 supplies statistics and reports on the course andthe result of the test (16) to the network operator 6 daily or weeklyduring the period of the test.

[0042] On the other hand, the network operator 6 advises the agency 7with regard to technical and subscriber-specific questions (17).

[0043] [Captions to Figures, Following Nos. in Original]

[0044]FIG. 1

[0045]1—Virtual telephone numbers, tel. no. for test cards, e.g., 0171/. . . 123 . . . 123

[0046]2—Fixed call forwarding

[0047]3—Test subscriber

[0048]4—Anzahl=number

[0049]5—Call to fixed/mobile network

[0050] [Across Bottom of FIG. 1] Network Operator-Internal; NetworkOperator-External

[0051]FIG. 2

[0052]6, 8—[illeg.]

[0053]7—Agency

[0054]10/11—Hand out 198 terminals+6 pool devices

[0055]12—Technical and customer-specific questions on T3 hotline

[0056]13—Customer inquiries

[0057]14—Test customer contract

[0058]15—Monthly accounting, reminders

[0059]16—Daily/weekly statistics & reports

[0060] [Unnumbered Caption Upper Left] Return of Terminals

[0061] [Unnumbered Caption Lower left] Internal Terminal Management andDistribution

[0062] [Unnumbered Caption Between 17 and 13] Test Customer Acquisitionand Consultation (Daily Inquiry, Concluding Interview, ChangingNetworks, Hotline)

1. A method of testing the quality of mobile wireless networks,characterized in that a number of test subscribers are equipped withmobile wireless terminals, each being assigned a special telephonenumber, whereby each test subscriber can communicate over a mobilewireless network selected individually from a quantity of several mobilewireless networks; the selected mobile wireless network is keptanonymous with respect to the test subscriber; the selected mobilewireless network is changed at certain intervals; and a promptacquisition of the network quality perceived by the subscribers isimplemented.
 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe mobile wireless networks are changed in a rotating method.
 3. Themethod according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe mobile wireless networks are anonymized by blocking certaintelephone number ranges to suppress operator-specific announcements;blocking operator-specific quick-dial numbers; suppressingterminal-specific technical features which cancel the blocking; blockingdisplay with automated information from the network operators andservice providers; suppressing automatic/manual network dialing orpreset network selection; blocking features such as SMS (MO, MT, CB)with which one's own telephone number can be read out or displayed,changing the calling card profiles with the following services: onlydomestic telephony, no international roaming coming or going, nomailbox, no fax/data service, no SMS, permanent suppression ofidentification, no call forwarding, blocking 1-800/1-900 numbers.
 4. Themethod according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe mobile wireless terminals are identical and sealed.
 5. The methodaccording to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that thespecial telephone number is a virtual telephone number assignedindividually to the test subscriber.
 6. The method according to one ofthe preceding claims, characterized in that the virtual telephone numberis assigned to an operator-specific telephone number of the selectedmobile wireless network by way of a call forwarding function.
 7. Themethod according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe network quality is determined by tracking of the test subscribers ona daily, weekly and/or monthly basis and/or at any desired point intime.
 8. The method according to one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the tracking of the test subscribers is performedby a neutral central office.
 9. The method according to one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that acquisition, processing andanalysis of the results of the tracking are performed in the centraloffice.